Professor Draheim’s New Research on AI in Clinical Psychology Education

Dr. Amanda Draheim, Assistant Professor of Psychology, is one of four Goucher College faculty members who will embark on a funded Year of Exploration as the 2024 recipients of the Myra Berman Kurtz Fund for Faculty Research and Exploration of the Sciences (KRES Fund). Dr. Draheim’s project, Use of Artificial Intelligence for Training Case Conceptualization and Treatment Planning in Psychotherapy, will explore how artificial intelligence may be applied to training case conceptualization skills among graduate trainees in clinical psychology. Case conceptualization involves using the client’s presenting concerns combined with psychological research to develop a rationale for a client’s distress and to inform treatment. Developing skill-in-case conceptualization is challenging but important, as it is considered a core competency for clinicians. Dr. Draheim hopes to explore risks and benefits of using artificial intelligence to train this skill and to develop and disseminate a ChatGPT script that will emphasize a strengths-based and culturally informed approach.

In addition, Dr. Draheim is presenting in the Incorporating Generative AI into Learning Experiences Virtual Showcase, hosted by the Center for Academic Innovation, on Friday April 26th. From the website: "The showcase will highlight how faculty, staff, and faculty/staff/student teams from across Maryland higher education have engaged in the use of Generative AI as part of assignments and learning activities." Dr. Draheim’s presentation, “How to Teach Students to Use Generative Artificial Intelligence Responsibly: Lessons from Clinical Psychology,” focuses on how principles from motivational interviewing can potentially inform how we encourage students to use generative artificial intelligence with integrity. This includes providing education about how to use ethical principles to inform decision-making, allowing students to explore their reasons for and against using generative artificial intelligence in unethical ways with empathy and nonjudgment, and promoting their sense of self-efficacy in using generative artificial intelligence ethically. Dr. Draheim will review some preliminary data from students in Psychological Distress and Disorder course supporting this approach.